From Rabbi Eli Moshe Levitansky on behalf of the Chabad on Campus International Shabbaton Organizing Committee:
This weekend, Shabbos Parshas Vayeira, over 900 students and 100 Shluchim and Shluchos will be coming to Crown Heights for the largest open gathering of Jewish students in America.
Being a Shliach on campus is fraught with its own difficulties, requiring mesirasnefesh as we battle the unique challenges inherent to college campuses. It’s at this time, however, that we’re reminded as Shluchim that we are not alone. As the people of Crown Heights open their homes to our students with unbelievable Hachnosas orchim, despite this coming so close to the whirlwinds of Tishrei, we are reminded that “Chassidim EinMishpocha” – you are all truly partners in our work.
On our returns back to campus, the students tell us how inspired they have become. While they love the classes and lectures, the visits to 770 and the Ohel, and the energy of spending Shabbos with hundreds of other Jewish students, they admit are often most affected by their hosts. Students are amazed as families open their doors to complete strangers with such warmth, serving them the finest Friday night dinner, and welcoming them as part of the family for the weekend. This is the true embodiment of the Chassidus we teach them, and makes the largest impact.
Seeing people smile, offer help on the streets, and welcome them to their community, makes our students realize that their Rabbi and Rebbetzin don’t exist in a vacuum; they’re not just who they are because “it’s their job.” This is truly a way of life open to everyone.
Before we descend on the streets of Crown Heights this weekend, on behalf of Chabad on Campus International and every Shliach and Shlucha, I’d like to thank you sincerely for your hospitality and the great impact you have on our students.
Although this should go without saying, I’d like to touch briefly on an important point: The students we bring to Crown Heights are at varying stages of their journey towards Yiddishkeit. Most have a developing relationship with their Chabad on campus, and were prepared, to the best of the shliach’s ability, regarding the socially acceptable behaviors in our neighborhood.
Please bear in mind: What these students gain most from the people they meet is the simple and straightforward Ahavas Yisroel that Crown Heights is built upon.
If you witness any Halachically inappropriate behavior (smoking, taking a picture, carrying an umbrella on Shabbos, for example) please remember these people are still on a journey in their Yiddishkeit.
While we do not condone these behaviors, we’d like to emphasize that positive, uplifting experiences help them grow while well-intentioned yet unwarranted instructions about Hilchos Shabbos or other matters have had long-lasting negative effects.
Another note: Today, universities and parents have drastically changed their attitudes towards students drinking alcohol. Most students remain under the legal drinking age of 21, and we respectfully remind you to refrain from serving mashke, particularly to those underage.
Again, Thank You! May all of our efforts be met with Hatzlacha, may they achieve their goal of bringing Nachas to the Rebbe, and may we immediately all together celebrate the ultimate kibutzgoliyos with the coming of Moshiach Now!
P.S. Shluchim are still looking for gracious residents who can host students for the weekend, for sleeping (Friday and Saturday nights) and/or Friday night dinner. If you have any space for either boys or girls please contact [email protected] or 718-510-8181. Thank you!
I think it is a very valid point. One see so much abuse of alcohol among the youth. We had some of my son’s friends over from the yeshiva and half of them were to drunk to make it back to shul. They even brought their own alcohol.
you dont expect to bring 900 students to ch and that no one should 1. tell them what to do or not do 2. no one should offer them alcohol. l’daavoneinu, this is not CH. Go to Flatbush better or Morristown.
I havent laughed this much in long time. Thank you
Harmony!
Harmony. Harmony. Harmony.
Lubavitch City of Love!
I invite many guests to my Shabbos meals. If the guests don’t agree to wholeheartedly say Yechi with me and wife and children we bill them. And where in NY can you get a three course meal, plus wine, tea & dessert for less than $75?
lolol, good sense of humor you have 🙂
My copy of hilchos Yechi does not require that many repetitions of it. As a matter of fact, it states that you cannot recite Yechi during Sholom Aleichem unless you also recite Na, Nach, Nachma Nachman meSchlockman four times for every three Yechis. In other words, I seriously hope that you are joking.
This is a perfect example of why I feel CH needs an Eruv. Even if Lubavitchers (lite or not-lite) don’t hold by it, it would prevent at least one malicha from happening. Better yet, why not put up a Rambam Eruv??
you need to get your head examined and keep your crazy thoughts to yourself
Are you for real or just a ‘wind up’? As u say it’s the ‘final’ mission. Let them see the beauty of yiddishkeit and start at the beginning first. I wish all our wonderful campus shlichim every Hazlocho. Their shlichus is possibly the most difficult and they need our support (including financial).
Just act like the Baal Shem Tov’s father did with HIS guest. Not so by-the-way, you may have the same results.
Please stop all the silly comments and sarcasm between all of you. This letter was written in good faith and only wants our Chevra to be aware of some things to make the College students weekend a great memory for them. Other people (including college students of our campuses) read this forum. If you don’t have something positive to say….don’t say it! Thank you to all of you who are hosting the students for meals and staying over at your homes. We greatly appreciate it! Looking forward to an amazing Shabbos!
Something wobbly there in house number 21. Also, theres a principle ‘chamira sakanta maisura’: that dangerous things are more stringent than forbidden things. For that reason, we do not eat fish and meat although it is nowhere mentioned in the gemara. The import of this is completely missed.
# 21 ‘Right On!’
Very good article.
Keep up the great work.
I plan on introducing these students to the “Final Mission” of saying Yechi. In my home, Yechi is a major part of the Friday night meal. The Sholom Aleichem has three parts and Yechi is sung between each part. In mid-kiddush at “savri moronon” we say Yechi and expect a response. Even after washing, while waiting for Hamotzie we hum Yechi and announce it after the Hamotzi. During Bentching, after each brocha we add Yechi, and in the Haachams we sing it! I think this is a great opportunity to spread the message to the “outside” that a major part… Read more »
did several of our holy rabbaim not smoke
its clearly not the same as illegal underage drinking
Please detail fully as to where about in shulchan orach it says no smoking? and stop making yourself sound foolish.
Very nice article !
LOL!
made my morning
I urge you to publish this letter on many other chabad sites. Vdal.
First of all what’s wheat and what’s chaff secondly it should be noted that smoking is indeed a chilul hashem and thinking otherwise shows a lack of basic knowledge in shulchan aruch
gooooooooooooo
GReat great Great! 🙂
smoking is not a chillul Hashem….it is an unhealthy choice…
let’s separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to chillul Hashem.
If you yourself smoke please don’t do it in front of the students it creates a huge chillul hashem
May you have much success in all of your endeavors!
A tayere talmid, and bochur from Simcha Monica (and the yeshiva).
Stop the bickering between the comments. Just focus on having an inspiring Shabbos for our College Student guests and show us your best !
Take your own advice
Taka
B”D O please preacher # 4 the writer is talking about innocent misguided advice to the kids and pointing out that at their level they are not ready for the advice,(such as not to carry) it as nothing, absolutely nothing to do with a lack of Ahavhas Yisroal, if you can read he makes an emphatic point to emphasize the AY shown by the residents of CH.Since you preach adherence to the Rebbes sichos let me guide you to the Rebbes letter that states ” correct yourself before you begin correcting ( and I might add criticizing ) others”
Look at things positively
no worrys the chabad lite wont reprimand them if they are smoking.
I think it is so sad that we have to tell the residence of C”H what it means to have Ahavas Yisroel and explain why it may be detrimental to scorn these students! If only they would take the proper lesson out of the Sichos that they claim to live and breathe by.
We need to pay attention and take heed to the fact that these students are already involved with shluchim who know them and their backgrounds let us open our homes to them and show them the true spirit of chassidic acceptance without challenging their beliefs by our misinformed politics and nareshkeittin.
Mother of a shliach
This will be first time as Crown Heights resident rather than a visiting student… and my journey to Lubavitch started at a Shabbaton just like this one four years ago!! Can’t wait to see it from the other side of the coin!
thanks for a well written and more importantly PROactive article!!